System for dispensing a liquid substance

ABSTRACT

A system for dispensing at least one liquid substance comprises a bag filled with a substance which is to be dispensed and a dispensing device which has a housing in which there is a space for accommodating the bag. The bag has a first connector element and the dispensing device has a second connector element, connectable to the first connector element allowing discharge of said substance from the bag. The dispensing device has retaining means for retaining the first connector element of the bag in a defined pre-connection position prior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements. The first and second connector elements are displaceable relative to each other between a connected position and a disconnected position. The dispensing device has actuator means associated with the first or second connector elements for displacing the first and second connector elements relative to each other between the connected and unconnected position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for dispensing at least oneliquid substance.

The system comprises at least one bag filled with a substance which isto be dispensed and a dispensing device which has a housing in whichthere is a space for accommodating the bag. The bag has a firstconnector element and the dispensing device has a second connectorelement, connectable to the first connector element allowing dischargeof said substance from the bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system as described above is generally known.

A drawback of the known system relates to the interconnecting of thefirst and second connector elements upon introduction of the bag intothe dispensing device.

In some known systems the operator of the dispenser has to introduce thebag into the dispensing device and at the same time bring the firstconnector element into connection with the second connector element.This is often difficult to do and the operator can fail to bring about areliable connection.

In other known systems the operator has to grab both the first andsecond connector elements and bring them together which suffers from thesame drawbacks.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dispensing system allowingan efficient and reliable interconnection of the first and secondconnector elements.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing systemallowing the use of an assembly of multiple bags each having anassociated first connector element.

It is a yet another object of the invention to provide a bag-in-boxassembly, advantageously usable in the system of the invention.

The invention achieves the first mentioned object by providing a systemaccording to the preamble of claim 1, which is characterised in that thedispensing device comprises retaining means for retaining the firstconnector element of the bag in a defined pre-connection position priorto interconnecting the first and second connector elements,

and in that the first and second connector elements are displaceablerelative to each other between a connected position and a disconnectedposition, and in that

the dispensing device has actuator means associated with the first orsecond connector element for displacing the first and second connectorelements relative to each other between the connected and unconnectedposition.

In one embodiment the second connector element is mounted stationary inthe dispensing device and the bag provided with the first connectorelement is displaceable.

In a preferred embodiment the second connector element is displaceablein the dispensing device.

The invention thus provides for an exact positioning and retaining ofthe first connector element—either in a predetermined fixed position inthe dispensing device or by means of an actuator means co-operating witha displaceable first connector element—prior to the relativedisplacement of the first and second connector elements towards theconnected position thereof. This avoids the problems associated with theprior art systems and guarantees a reliable interconnection of theconnector elements.

The invention also allows for a more convenient and rapid connector of aflexible bag to the dispensing device.

Preferably in the disconnected position the second connector element islocated outside the space for housing the bag. This avoids the risk thatthe second connector element is damaged upon introduction or removal ofthe bag from the dispensing device.

In a preferred embodiment the housing of the dispensing device allowsinsertion and removal of the bag in a first direction (i.e.horizontally) and the second connector element is displaceable inanother second direction, preferably at right angles to the firstdirection (i.e. vertically).

In a preferred embodiment the space in the housing is adapted to receivean assembly of multiple bags, and each bag is provided with anassociated first connector element, and a base element is providedinterconnecting the first connector elements of the bags. The baseelement guarantees the exact pre-connection position of the firstconnector elements of the bags either onto the housing of the dispensingdevice or onto the actuator means.

The bags are usually flexible and collapsible. Therefore, the baseelement also allows for an increased rigidity of the bags in the regionof the first connector elements.

In a preferred embodiment the system comprises a carrier member for oneor more bags, preferably a box in which one or more bags areaccommodated. This allows for an easy handling of the one or more bags.The box can e.g. be made of plastic. The box can be provided with ahandle for handling of the box.

In a preferred embodiment the retaining means of the dispensing deviceare adapted to retain the base element and thereby the multiple firstconnector elements of the bags. In a practical embodiment the retainingmeans are adapted to slidingly receive the base element.

In a preferred embodiment the first connector elements and base elementare interconnected by snap means. This allows the production of bagsfitted with first connector elements in a known manner and theninterconnecting the bags using the base element in a simple mannerbefore or after filling of the bags.

In a preferred embodiment the dispensing device has multiple secondconnector elements mounted on a common support, said common supportbeing displaceable between a connected and an unconnected position.

In order to avoid premature displacement of the second connectorelements it is preferred that the dispensing device comprises detectormeans for detecting the presence in the space in the housing of a bag ora carrier of one or more bags, and that the detector means areinterconnected to the actuator means so that the second connectorelement(s) is or are only displaceable towards the connected position ifthe presence of the bag or a carrier of one or more bags is detected.

In a practical embodiment the detector means comprise a mechanicaldetector contacting a part of the bag, assembly of bags, or carrier.

In a preferred embodiment the detector means are adapted to detect thepresence of the base element associated with an assembly ofinterconnected bags.

In a practical embodiment a latch is associated with the actuator means,said latch preventing displacement of the second connector element(s)towards the connected position if no bag, assembly of bags or carrier isdetected.

In a preferred embodiment the common support for multiple secondconnector elements comprises a removable support member on which thesecond connector elements are mounted. This allows e.g. the cleaning ofthe second connector elements, the exchange of the removable member sothat other second connector elements are provided, etc.

In a practical embodiment the actuator means comprise rectilinear guidemeans for guiding the second connector element or the common support ofmultiple second connector elements.

In a preferred embodiment the actuator means comprise a moveable, e.g.slideable member, moveable at right angles to the rectilinear guidemeans and interconnected to the second connector element or the commonsupport of multiple second elements by a cam mechanism. Preferably saidcam mechanism comprises an interengaging slot and follower.Advantageously the slot is provided in the slideable member and thefollower is mounted on the common support.

In a preferred embodiment a removable or pierceable seal is fitted onthe base element covering the openings of the first connector elements.This avoids contamination of the openings of the first connectorelements.

In a preferred embodiment each first connector element is associatedwith a closing means closing off the bore of the first connector elementprior to interconnecting the first and second connector element.

In a further preferred embodiment thereof the closing means is a plugengaging a seat of the first connector element in the closed position,which plug is displaceable from the seat to an opened position uponconnecting the first and second connector element.

In a preferred embodiment the first connector element is a femaleconnector element having a bore and the second element is a maleconnector element fitting into said bore.

In case of an assembly of multiple bags it is foreseen that each bag isfilled with a different substance. In order to avoid incorrectconnection between the bags and the dispenser device it is preferredthat the base element and the retaining means comprise interengaging keyformations so that the base element can only be retained in a particularorientation by said retaining means.

In a preferred embodiment the base element is an elongated strip havinga series of spaced receiving openings for receiving the first connectorelements of the bags. In a practical embodiment the strip has retainingrails at opposite longitudinal sides thereof and the retaining meansinclude retaining grooves for slidingly receiving the retaining rails.

A particular advantageous application of the invention is that thedispenser device is a postmix beverage dispenser device having mixingmeans for mixing the one or more liquids with water.

The present invention also relates to an assembly of bags filled withliquid, each bag having an associated first connector elementconnectable to a second connector element of a dispensing device and thefirst connector elements being interconnected by a base element.

The present invention also relates to a bag-in-box assembly comprising abox member and an assembly of bags therein.

The present invention also relates to a method for filling an assemblyof multiple bags with liquid substances, each bag having an associatedfirst connector element and a closing means for closing the firstconnector element after filling, wherein the bags of the assembly areinterconnected prior to filling by a base element interconnecting thefirst connector elements of the bags, after which the bags are filled,preferably simultaneously, and closed.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the following DetailedDescription of the Invention and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be explained further in detail referring to thedrawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a part of a system according to theinvention,

FIG. 1 a shows in cross-section a dispensing of the system of FIG. 1,

FIG. 2 a bag-in-box according to the invention,

FIG. 3 the actuator means for the second connector elements of thedispensing device, and

FIG. 4 a,b the base element and first connector elements of the assemblyof bags of the bag-in-box assembly of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-4 the relevant parts of a system for dispensing a liquidsubstance are shown.

In this example the system comprises a postmix beverage dispenser devicehaving mixing means for mixing the one or more liquid substances withwater. In particular the system shown here is designed for dispensingtwo substances from two separate bags, e.g. two substances which arethen mixed with water to obtain a beverage, e.g. coffee.

The system comprises a bag-in-box assembly 1, shown partly in FIG. 1 andin more detail in FIG. 2, and a dispensing device 100 (see FIG. 1 a)e.g. a coffee-dispensing device. Of this device 100 only the relevantpart is shown as will follow from this description.

The dispensing device 100 has a housing 101 in which there is a space102 for accommodating the bag-in-box assembly 1.

The bag-in-box assembly 1 has a box 2 in which two collapsible bags 3are accommodated each filled with a liquid substance.

The bags 3 are in this example identical, so that the same parts aredenoted with the same reference numerals.

Each bag 3 has a first connector element 5, here sealed in the bottomend of the bag 3.

A base element 6 (shown in detail in FIG. 4) is provided interconnectingthe first connector elements 5 of the bags 3.

The first connector elements 5 and base element 6 are interconnected bysnap means 7.

The dispensing device 100 has two second connector elements 110, eachconnectable to a first connector element 5 allowing discharge of saidsubstance from the associated bag 3.

Associated with the second connector elements 110 are actuator means200, which allow for a displacement of these second connectors 110relative to the first connector elements 5 between a connected positionand an unconnected position.

A preferred embodiment of these actuator means 200 is disclosed indetail in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The dispensing device 100 is provided with retaining means 300 forretaining the first connector elements 5 of the bags 3 in a definedpre-connection position prior to interconnecting the first and secondconnector elements 5, 110. These retaining means 300 are located here atthe bottom side of the space 102, so that the bag-in-box is placed ontop of those retaining means 300. The retaining means 300 are adapted tocooperate with the base 6 and thereby retains the first connectorelements 5.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawing the retaining means 300comprise a bracket 301 having a top face 302 on which two parallel rails303 are mounted. The rails 303 are directed in the insertion directionof the bag-in-box 1 into the space 102. The base 6 is provided withrails 7 at opposite side thereof, so that the rails 7 slidinglyco-operate with rails 303 of the retaining means 300.

The base 6 has an abutment 8 at one end of the rails 7 which comes intocontact with the stern faces of the rails 303 and thereby thepre-connection position of the base 6 and thus of the associated firstconnectors 5 is defined. The abutment 8 and the rails 303 thus also actas key formations so that the base 6 can only be retained in aparticular orientation by said retaining means 300. It will appreciatedthat this is in particular relevant if the bags 3 contain differentsubstances.

In the disconnected position the second connector elements 110 arelocated below the top face 302 of the bracket as is shown in FIG. 3 andthus outside the space 102 for housing the bag-in-box assembly 1. InFIG. 1 the second connectors 110 are shown above said top face 302 onlyto illustrate the presence of these connector elements 110, in fact theyshould also be located below the top face 302 in this FIG. 1.

The top face 302 of the bracket 301 is provided with apertures whichallow the passage of the second connector elements 110 upon connectionof the second connector elements 110 to the first connector elements 5.

In the preferred embodiment shown here the insertion direction of thebase 6 into the bracket 301 is essentially horizontally and thedirection of the displacement of the second connectors 110 isessentially vertically. It will be clear that other arrangements arepossible as well, including an arrangement wherein the base 6 is on topof the bag-in-box assembly.

The second connector elements 110 are mounted on a common support 201,which common support 201 is displaceable between a connected and anunconnected position.

This common support 201 is embodied here as a removable common support201, which is held by an associated member 202 of the actuator means200.

The common support 201 includes two liquid channels connecting to thesecond connector elements 110 having sockets 205 for connecting saidchannels to a corresponding hose (not shown). The removal of the support201 allows replacement in case second connector elements 110 are neededof a different design and/or if the second connector elements 110 havebeen worn out and/or for cleaning purposes.

The actuator means 200 in this embodiment comprise a slideable member205, which is slideable here in horizontal direction by hand.

The bracket 300 has parallel side walls 304 each provided with tworectilinear guide slot 305 which are directed in the direction ofdisplacement of the second connector elements 110.

The member 202 is provided with bosses, here formed by bolts 206,extending through said slots 305. As such the member 202 and thus thesecond connector elements 110 are displaceable in the vertical directiononly.

The slideable member 205 has two parallel limbs 207, each slidinglyalong an associated side wall 304 of the bracket 300.

In each limb 205 two slots 208 are formed and the bolts 206 also eachextend through one of these slots 208. This results in the effect thatupon pushing in the member 205 towards the bracket 300 from the startingposition shown in FIGS. 1-3, the bosses 206 are pushed upwards by thelimbs 206 as these bosses 206 follow the slots 208. It will be clearthat the slots 208 are placed at a generally inclined position to effectthe upward displacement of the member 202. The shape of the slots 208may vary.

A biasing means, such as a spring can be provided to bias the slideablemember 205 to the position associated with the unconnected position ofthe second connector elements 110.

In order to prevent that the second connector elements 110 doeffectively protrude above the top face of the bracket 301 before thebag-in-box 1 is inserted—which would damage the second connectorelements 110—provision is made for detector means 400 for detecting thepresence of the bag-in-box 1 at the pre-connection position. Anassociated latch ensures that only when this correct position isdetected the actuator means 200 can be operated.

In this embodiment the detector means 400 comprises two mechanicalsensors 401 which are contacted by the base 6 only upon full insertionof the base 6 into the retaining means 300. These sensors 401 co-operatewith a mechanical latch (not shown) which normally prevents the movementof the slideable member 205.

In order to place a bag-in-box 1 into the dispensing device 100 theoperate will open a door or the like associated with the space 102 uponwhich the slideable member 205 will assume the position shown in FIG. 1if no bag-in-box 1 is already connected.

Then the operator will place the bag-in-box assembly 1 in the space 102whereby the base is slidingly connected to the bracket 300. Only whenthe correct pre-connection position of the base 6 is reached, thesensors 401 effect the unlatching of the slideable member 205. Theoperator can now push this member 205 inward and thereby effect theupward displacement of the second connectors 110 to the connectedposition.

It will be clear that the actuator means 200 can be power operated ifdesired.

Also it will be clear that the second connector elements 110 could bearranged in a stationary manner in the dispensing device 100 and thatthe actuator means 200 would be used to displace the first connectorelements 5. In fact this already is the case if the member 202 would bemounted stationary in the dispensing device 100. Pushing the slideablemember 205 inwards would then have the effect of displacing the base 6and the first connectors 5 downwards so that the connection isestablished.

In a variant not disclosed in the drawings the dispensing devicecomprises a mechanism for displacing the bag (or bag-in-box) withrespect to the retaining means. In this example the mechanism could beused to slide the bag-in-box from the retaining rails 303 and/or slidingthe bag-in-box into the retaining means. This is in particularadvantageous if the retaining means would require a vertical movement ofthe bag or bag-in-box. In a preferred embodiment this mechanism couldinclude a hand-operable lever.

In another embodiment a lever could be used to actuate one or moredisplaceable second connector elements, e.g. as a substitute of or incooperation with the sliding member as disclosed hereabove.

The base 6 is in the form of an elongated strip having a series ofspaced receiving openings 9 for receiving the first connector elements 5of the bags 3. The rails 7 are located at opposite longitudinal sides ofthe base 6.

One or more resilient snap members 10 are placed at each opening 9 toeffect the snap connection of the first connector elements 5 to the base6.

In the embodiment shown here the first connector elements 3 are femaleconnector elements 3 and have a body provided with a bore extending froman insertion opening for the second connector element 110 (embodied as amale connector element) to an opening inside the bag 3.

In order to prevent contamination of the bore 11 and as a tamper evidenta removable or pierceable seal is preferably fitted on the base element6 covering the openings of the first connector elements 5 (not shown inthe drawings).

Each first connector element 5 here further has a closing means in theform of a plug 12 for closing off the bore 11 of the first connectorelement prior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements5,110.

The plug 12 engages a seat 13 of the first connector element 5 in theclosed position. The plug 12 is displaceable from the seat to an openedposition upon connecting the first and second connector element 5, 110.The plug 12 here is connected by a flexible arm 14 to the body of theconnector element 5.

The second connector elements 110 are male connector elements 110 eachhaving a tubular body with a head which interengages with the plug 12.

The base 6 is advantageous for the handling the two bags 3, inparticular when assembling the bag-in-box assembly 1. Also the base 6 isadvantageous when filling an assembly of multiple bags with liquidsubstances, each bag having an associated first connector element and aclosing means for closing the first connector element after filling.Then the bags are preferably interconnected prior to filling by the base6 interconnecting the first connector elements 5 of the bags 3, afterwhich the bags 3 are filled, preferably simultaneously, and closed.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

1. System for dispensing at least one liquid substance, comprising: atleast one bag filled with a liquid substance which is to be dispensed, adispensing device comprising a housing having a space for accommodatingthe bag, the bag comprising a first connector element and the dispensingdevice comprising a second connector element, connectable to the firstconnector element allowing discharge of said substance from the bag, thedispensing device further comprising retaining means for retaining thefirst connector element of each bag in a defined pre-connection positionprior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements, thefirst and second connector elements being displaceable relative to eachother between a connected position and a disconnected position, and thedispensing device comprising actuator means associated with the first orsecond connector elements for displacing the first and second connectorelements relative to each other between the connected and unconnectedposition, wherein the housing of the dispensing device allows insertionand removal of the bag in a first direction and the second connectorelement is displaceable in a second direction.
 2. A system according toclaim 1, wherein the housing of the dispensing device allows insertionand removal of the bag in a horizontal direction.
 3. System fordispensing at least one liquid substance, comprising: at least one bagfilled with a liquid substance which is to be dispensed, a dispensingdevice comprising a housing having a space for accommodating the bag,the bag comprising a first connector element and the dispensing devicecomprising a second connector element, connectable to the firstconnector element allowing discharge of said substance from the bag, thedispensing device further comprising retaining means for retaining thefirst connector element of each bag in a defined pre-connection positionprior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements, thefirst and second connector elements being displaceable relative to eachother between a connected position and a disconnected position, and thedispensing device comprising actuator means associated with the first orsecond connector elements for displacing the first and second connectorelements relative to each other between the connected and unconnectedposition, wherein the dispensing device comprises detector means fordetecting the presence in the space in the housing of a bag or a carrierof one or more bags.
 4. System according to claim 3, wherein thedetector means are interconnected to the actuator means so that thesecond connector element is only displaceable towards the connectedposition if the presence of the bag or a carrier of one or more bags isdetected.
 5. System according to claim 4, wherein the detector meanscomprise a mechanical detector contacting a part selected from the groupconsisting of the bag, assembly of bags, or carrier.
 6. System accordingto claim 4, wherein the detector means comprise a mechanical detector.7. System according to claim 6, wherein the detector means are adaptedto detect the presence of the base element associated with an assemblyof interconnected bags.
 8. System for dispensing at least one liquidsubstance, comprising: at least one bag filled with a liquid substancewhich is to be dispensed, a dispensing device comprising a housinghaving a space for accommodating the bag, the bag comprising a firstconnector element and the dispensing device comprising a secondconnector element, connectable to the first connector element allowingdischarge of said substance from the bag, the dispensing device furthercomprising retaining means for retaining the first connector element ofeach bag in a defined pre-connection position prior to interconnectingthe first and second connector elements, the first and second connectorelements being displaceable relative to each other between a connectedposition and a disconnected position, and the dispensing devicecomprising actuator means associated with the first or second connectorelements for displacing the first and second connector elements relativeto each other between the connected and unconnected position, wherein alatch is associated with the actuator means, said latch preventingdisplacement of the second connector element towards the connectedposition if no bag, assembly of bags or carrier is detected.
 9. Systemfor dispensing at least one liquid substance, comprising: at least onebag filled with a liquid substance which is to be dispensed, adispensing device comprising a housing having a space for accommodatingthe bag, the bag comprising a first connector element and the dispensingdevice comprising a second connector element, connectable to the firstconnector element allowing discharge of said substance from the bag, thedispensing device further comprising retaining means for retaining thefirst connector element of each bag in a defined pre-connection positionprior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements, thefirst and second connector elements being displaceable relative to eachother between a connected position and a disconnected position, and thedispensing device comprising actuator means associated with the first orsecond connector elements for displacing the first and second connectorelements relative to each other between the connected and unconnectedposition, wherein the space in the housing is adapted to receive anassembly of multiple bags, each bag being provided with an associatedfirst connector element, and wherein a base element is providedinterconnecting the first connector elements of the bags, and whereinthe dispensing device has multiple second connector elements mounted ona common support, said common support being displaceable between aconnected and an unconnected position and comprising a removable supportmember on which the second connector elements are mounted.
 10. Systemfor dispensing at least one liquid substance, comprising: at least onebag filled with a liquid substance which is to be dispensed, adispensing device comprising a housing having a space for accommodatingthe bag, the bag comprising a first connector element and the dispensingdevice comprising a second connector element, connectable to the firstconnector element allowing discharge of said substance from the bag, thedispensing device further comprising retaining means for retaining thefirst connector element of each bag in a defined pre-connection positionprior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements, thefirst and second connector elements being displaceable relative to eachother between a connected position and a disconnected position, and thedispensing device comprising actuator means associated with the first orsecond connector elements for displacing the first and second connectorelements relative to each other between the connected and unconnectedposition, wherein the actuator means comprise rectilinear guide meansfor guiding the second connector element.
 11. System for dispensing atleast one liquid substance, comprising: at least one bag filled with aliquid substance which is to be dispensed, a dispensing devicecomprising a housing having a space for accommodating the bag, the bagcomprising a first connector element and the dispensing devicecomprising a second connector element, connectable to the firstconnector element allowing discharge of said substance from the bag, thedispensing device further comprising retaining means for retaining thefirst connector element of each bag in a defined pre-connection positionprior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements, thefirst and second connector elements being displaceable relative to eachother between a connected position and a disconnected position, and thedispensing device comprising actuator means associated with the first orsecond connector elements for displacing the first and second connectorelements relative to each other between the connected and unconnectedposition, wherein the actuator means comprise a slideable member that isslideable at right angles to rectilinear guide means and interconnectedto the second connector element by a cam mechanism.
 12. System accordingto claim 11, wherein said cam mechanism comprises an interengaging slotand follower.
 13. System according to claim 12, wherein the slot isprovided in the slideable member and the follower is mounted on a commonsupport of the second elements.
 14. System for dispensing at least oneliquid substance, comprising: at least one bag filled with a liquidsubstance which is to be dispensed, a dispensing device comprising ahousing having a space for accommodating the bag, the bag comprising afirst connector element and the dispensing device comprising a secondconnector element, connectable to the first connector element allowingdischarge of said substance from the bag, the dispensing device furthercomprising retaining means for retaining the first connector element ofeach bag in a defined pre-connection position prior to interconnectingthe first and second connector elements, the first and second connectorelements being displaceable relative to each other between a connectedposition and a disconnected position, and the dispensing devicecomprising actuator means associated with the first or second connectorelements for displacing the first and second connector elements relativeto each other between the connected and unconnected position, whereinthe dispensing device is a postmix beverage dispensing device havingmixing means for mixing the one or more liquids with water.
 15. Systemfor dispensing at least one liquid substance, comprising: at least onebag filled with a liquid substance which is to be dispensed, adispensing device comprising a housing having a space for accommodatingthe bag, the bag comprising a first connector element and the dispensingdevice comprising a second connector element, connectable to the firstconnector element allowing discharge of said substance from the bag, thedispensing device further comprising retaining means for retaining thefirst connector element of each bag in a defined pre-connection positionprior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements, thefirst and second connector elements being displaceable relative to eachother between a connected position and a disconnected position, and thedispensing device comprising actuator means associated with the first orsecond connector elements for displacing the first and second connectorelements relative to each other between the connected and unconnectedposition, wherein the space in the housing is adapted to receive anassembly of multiple bags, each bag being provided with an associatedfirst connector element, and wherein a base element is providedinterconnecting the first connector elements of the bags, and wherein aseal is fitted on the base element covering the openings of the firstconnector elements and the seal is pierceable.
 16. System for dispensingat least one liquid substance, comprising: at least one bag filled witha liquid substance which is to be dispensed, a dispensing devicecomprising a housing having a space for accommodating the bag, the bagcomprising a first connector element and the dispensing devicecomprising a second connector element, connectable to the firstconnector element allowing discharge of said substance from the bag, thedispensing device further comprising retaining means for retaining thefirst connector element of each bag in a defined pre-connection positionprior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements, thefirst and second connector elements being displaceable relative to eachother between a connected position and a disconnected position, and thedispensing device comprising actuator means associated with the first orsecond connector elements for displacing the first and second connectorelements relative to each other between the connected and unconnectedposition, wherein the actuator means comprise rectilinear guide meansfor guiding a common support of multiple second connector elements. 17.System for dispensing at least one liquid substance, comprising: atleast one bag filled with a liquid substance which is to be dispensed, adispensing device comprising a housing having a space for accommodatingthe bag, the bag comprising a first connector element and the dispensingdevice comprising a second connector element, connectable to the firstconnector element allowing discharge of said substance from the bag, thedispensing device further comprising retaining means for retaining thefirst connector element of each bag in a defined pre-connection positionprior to interconnecting the first and second connector elements, thefirst and second connector elements being displaceable relative to eachother between a connected position and a disconnected position, and thedispensing device comprising actuator means associated with the first orsecond connector elements for displacing the first and second connectorelements relative to each other between the connected and unconnectedposition, wherein the actuator means comprise a slideable member that isslideable at right angles to rectilinear guide means and interconnectedto a common support of multiple second elements by a cam mechanism.